Military News

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

11/10/2015 - FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The
reset button: a spring-loaded, finger-width mechanism on a computer or
game console which forces all current activity to cease. Pushing reset
instructs a system to shut down, clear temporary memory and restore the
device to a healthy, initialized state.

Recently, more than 70 service members and their families from military
installations across the Carolinas pushed the reset button Nov. 2-4, to
shut down, clear their minds and restore a healthy, resilient lifestyle
during the USO of North Carolina Warrior Reset at the Cape Fear
Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The retreat featured briefings and discussions on several topics
affecting today's troops and their families. Subjects such as finance,
nutrition and health as well as leadership, post-traumatic stress
disorder and suicide awareness were briefed by subject matter experts
and fellow service members who encouraged open dialogue between
Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and family members on past experiences and
methods to deal with different stressors.

"This course was very effective and stayed true to the concept 'Warrior
Reset'," said Tech. Sgt. Dellary Madden, 4th Force Support Squadron NCO
in charge of installation personnel readiness. "This was definitely a
first-class course that provided a well-rounded balance to the word
resiliency. I loved how the agencies that supported the training were
not military, but in 'support of'. I really felt like (it) was about
finding alternative ways to deal with life rather than another training
built to check the box or a refresher on basic resiliency."

Army Sgt. Heather Adamson, a 3rd Special Forces Group human intelligence
collector stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder and said she found great value in the
information and activities of the entire event.

"The program has definitely helped me with stress management," she said.
"As a soldier with PTSD, I thought the program was outstanding. It's a
safe and relaxing environment that teaches different ways to cope with
stress."

Along with serious discussions, the retreat mixed in two physical
training workouts, a yoga class and calisthenics session, as well as
classes on horticulture, music-making and a magician who entertained
attendees with an array of card tricks.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see it wasn't your typical military
training and was actually a hands-on, stress-relieving and fun course,"
Adamson said. "The best takeaway from this was the chance to relax here
with like-minded individuals who were here to help us. We were able to
take that and relax for a few days away from the unit and stress of
daily life."

The hands-on aspects of the class drew smiles and laughter to all in
attendance, including spouses and children, who spent their days with
childcare providers so parents could fully participate in every aspect
of the retreat.

Army Staff Sgt. Ron Laugand, a 161st Infantry Regiment drill sergeant
from Fort Jackson, South Carolina, attended the retreat with his wife
Janet and their two children. Ron stated that it's easy to take your
eyes off something and lose focus on the big picture, even with the best
of intentions. At the conclusion of the event, both he and Janet said
this reset was a great opportunity to refocus and spend time with their
kids, growing their relationship.

"It was an uplifting and enjoyable experience to be a part of as (the
USO) delivered open arms from the beginning," Janet said. "I learned to
be more open-minded and when my family shows they want attention, I
won't hesitate to give it to them. I embrace that I'm not alone with
what I encounter (as a military spouse). The info put out here allowed
people to drop their guard and make a connection, which was my favorite
part. We've been to several classes and this one was really positive and
exceeded expectations."

"A lot of times people are hesitant to reach out," Ron said. "There's a
lot of things available if you branch out and I'm thankful for the USO
of North Carolina for this program."

The Warrior Reset retreat, along with complimentary programs such as
Spouse Reset and Family Reset, are each held four times a year in
various locations close to major military installations. Kelli Davis,
USO of NC troop and programs coordinator, is the brain-child behind
these events and said the goal was to eventually reach every troop in
both North and South Carolina.

"Leadership at different installations requested our help to address the
resilience needs of our troops," Davis said. "We wanted to go above and
beyond the airport lounges and homecomings that we're known for and
make sure we're giving as many tools as we possibly can."

According to Davis different leaders are looking to invest in their
troops by sending them to Warrior Reset. Service members with at least a
year of service time left and are leaders, or soon to be leaders,
within their unit are usually chosen to attend. The November reset had
ranks from E-3 to O-5 in attendance. This, along with incorporating
integration from different services, helped attendees see a different
perspective and provide a stronger support system to each other.

"I love to see the camaraderie," Davis added. "Sometimes troops get
stuck in the shell of their installations. Here, we see the struggles
are across the branches. The peer support mechanism built into this
program is one of the greatest successes we have."

Davis said it's most important for the military to know there are people
outside the installation who are there for them. By bringing in
top-notch instructors who are invested in the well-being of the military
and their families, the overall resilience of the force remains strong.

"This is a valuable toolset I wouldn't have known about and I feel the
word should get out," said Adamson. "Anybody needing PTSD or stress
management techniques should come through here. The coping for anxiety,
stress, traumatic brain injury ... I would send every Soldier in my unit
to this program."

As 2016 fast approaches, the USO of NC is gearing up for another round
of Warrior, Family and Spouse Reset retreats. Any service member or
family members interested in attending one of the programs can contact
Kelli Davis at 919-840-3000, or visit www.uso-nc.org.

11/10/2015 - ZARAGOZA, Spain -- Multiple
18th Air Force units worked together to perform a personnel drop of
more than 500 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers in support of Exercise
Ultimate Reach, Nov. 2 - 7, a subsection of NATO's largest exercise in
20 years, Exercise Trident Juncture.

Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored
live-fly exercise designed to evaluate 18th Air Force's transportation
units' ability to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions.

This year's Ultimate Reach consisted of a fleet of seven C-17
Globemaster III aircraft and eight KC-10 Extenders to move the airborne
division members to a drop zone in Zaragoza, Spain.

The C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Washington, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, took off
from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, Nov. 3, and flew through the
night to Zaragoza, Spain. Once over the drop zone, the 82nd Airborne
Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team conducted a Joint Forcible Entry
exercise in front an international audience of military leadership,
dignitaries and media.

The exercise demonstrates 18th Air Force's ability to move forces and
equipment anywhere on earth in a matter of hours, which is instrumental
to the collective defense of NATO and other partner nations.

"As with TRANSCOM, Air Mobility Command and the United States, we have a
responsibility to NATO and to use this exercise as an opportunity to
train with our NATO allies," said Capt. Chris Mahan, C-17 aircraft
commander. "Missions like this create that interoperability with our
allies and sister services."

In order to make the trip without stopping, KC-10 Extender tankers from
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base,
California, refueled the C-17s on the way to Europe and on their return
trip.

"Without us, other aircraft with less fuel capacity will have to land
and refuel more often," said Airman 1st Class Amy James, 32nd Air
Refueling Squadron boom operator. "We enable worldwide missions to be
completed more efficiently."

Eight tankers met with the C-17s over the North Atlantic Ocean in the
middle of the night. Maj. Mitch Ehresman, 305th Air Mobility Wing
current operations flight chief, said this capability allows them to
support combatant commanders throughout the world by helping get the
assets they need into theater as quickly as possible.

"It all comes down to time and range," he said. "Without our fuel
supply, C-17s couldn't go directly to Spain and fighters would have much
more limited time dropping ordnance downrange before landing to
refuel."

America's Global Response Force provides combatant commanders with
critical options to respond to international crises, but cannot do so
without trained and validated support from its joint Air Force partners.
This exercise is another example of this constant training.

"We provide and posture rapid mobility forces for things like this
global response force and move the Army anywhere in the world at any
time," Mahan said. "Training like this is extremely important. For us to
provide a direct-delivery sortie halfway around the globe without
stopping is quite impressive. It's something we don't get to exercise
very often, but days like this we can not only do that but succeed in
doing it."

The overall mission was coordinated from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois,
at the 618th Air Operations Center. The 618th AOC is 18th AF's
execution arm, providing the Air Force's global reach. It plans,
schedules, directs and assesses a fleet of nearly 1,100 mobility
aircraft in support of combat delivery and strategic airlift, air
refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations around the world.

For Ultimate Reach, the 618th AOC acted as the command and control
authority for the C-17s and KC-10s. The AOC coordinated with the
operations centers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Joint Base
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and communicated mission changes with the aircraft
formations via secure satellite links. Additional coordination was
required with the 603rd Air Operations Center's Air Mobility Division in
Germany and the NATO Combined Air Operation Center Torrejon in Madrid,
Spain.

"There's a lot of effort that goes into coordinating all the details
needed to make missions like these successful," said Maj. Nate Padgett,
the lead exercise liaison for the AOC. "For major exercises, a big piece
of the planning process is to ensure the seams between the operators
and command element are tied-up. Key components, that don't come up in
stateside missions, are things like obtaining diplomatic clearances,
ensuring there's enough, and the right type of, ground support at the
final destination, and solving how to communicate securely with aircraft
while they're over the ocean. Any one of these seemingly small
considerations could derail the entire mission, and we handle all of
them."

"In addition to Air Mobility Command, Pacific Command also assisted in
this global reach," said Captain Dan Naske, Ultimate Reach lead Air
Force planner. "Ultimate Reach truly is a great opportunity to showcase
our ability to have global reach across the world and show NATO that we
are there to support them."

Eighteenth Air Force is responsible for carrying out Air Mobility
Command's operational air mobility mission. Since 9/11, AMC and 18th Air
Force, with a mission to deliver hope, fuel and the fight and save
lives, have moved more than 22.7 million passengers, 2.7 billion gallons
of fuel and 229,000 patients.

11/8/2015 - SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Members
of the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard,
participated in a Yellow Ribbon Welcome Home Event, here, for recently
deployed Airmen and their families.

The Yellow Ribbon event provided an opportunity to learn about the
benefits and resources available as they reintegrate back into their
civilian lives.

The event also gave senior leadership from the local, state and national
level a chance to thank and recognize them for their service and
sacrifice.

"That moment of the deployed member and the family being reunited is
something they both look forward to with a sense of anticipation and
joy", said Lt Col. Bill Tesch, wing chaplain, 114th Fighter Wing, "But
soon after, the reality of life sets in and families have to adjust to a
new way of doing things, which can bring on feelings of resentment or
disappointment."

Tesch went on to stress that these feelings are normal, and the Yellow
Ribbon Welcome Home event is one place members and their families hear
about the resources and benefits available during reintegration.

As the operation tempo of the National Guard increases, leadership
quickly realized that deployments did not just affect service members,
but also their spouses and families. The Yellow Ribbon program was
developed in 2008 based off of programs individual states were using to
help reintegrate their service members.

"I have not been able to get any of my to-do list done", said Staff Sgt.
Daniel Lindsay, 114th Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Element, "I have
been too busy cuddling and taking care of my wife and kids."

"I've missed him a lot," said Tessa Lindsay, spouse of Staff Sgt. Daniel Lindsay, "It's nice to have him back home."

Members were briefed by the Mike Haugen, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration
Program manager, on where to find all the resources they need for their
transition.

Along with the many resources provided to service members at this event,
numerous dignitaries were there to show their appreciation to both the
member and their families. The dignitaries there to shake each deployed
members hand were Sen. John Thune, Sen. Mike Rounds, Gov. Dennis
Daugaard and Lt. Gov. Matt Michels, and Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, the
Adjutant General for South Dakota.

11/10/2015 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- -- To
the men and women of Pacific Air Forces and to veterans across the
services, I offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your
dedicated service. As you know, this Wednesday commemorates a
significant date in our nation's history, a day in 1918 where a signed
armistice marked an end to World War I. The historical significance of
Veterans Day reminds us of the sacrifice of military service. On this
day, let us honor the thousands of American veterans, past and present,
for their love of country and their willingness to be a part of
something bigger than themselves.

A couple of weeks ago, the University of Hawaii hosted the Air Force
football team, resulting in a 58-7 victory for the Air Force. I had the
privilege of attending a pep rally where I met many of our Air Force's
future officers from the 2016-2019 graduating classes. One of the things
that struck me was their connection to our heritage through their class
exemplars. The Airmen they selected to aspire to were Maj. David
"Klepto" Brodeur, Col. George "Bud" Day, and Capt. Louie "Zamp"
Zamperini.

Brodeur was a decorated F-16 pilot who deployed as an advisor to the
Afghan Command and Control Center and was subsequently killed in 2011
when an Afghan military trainee turned gunfire on him. Col Day served
during three major wars and when shot down in Vietnam, refused to yield
to his tormentors at the Hanoi Hilton for five years and seven months,
escaping once despite tremendous injuries. Capt Zamperini, the subject
of the book and subsequent movie "Unbroken," was a World War II
bombardier who survived 47 days at sea after his plane experienced
mechanical difficulties and had to ditch, only to be captured and held
prisoner for two years in Japan.

Every generation has faced difficult challenges, and our generation is
no exception. This Veterans Day, I ask that we reflect upon the
importance of what we do. Whether you are military or civilian; active
duty, Reserve or Guard; Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coast
Guardsman, each and every one of you plays a vital part in safeguarding
our way of life. And, despite how much we ask of you and your families,
you continue to amaze me with your character, your resilience and your
devotion to duty and country. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank
you!

HOHENFELS, Germany, November 9, 2015 — Although World War I
officially ended June 28, 1919, the fighting had stopped several months
earlier, when “an armistice … between the Allied nations and Germany went into
effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared Nov. 11 as Armistice
Day, according to the Veterans Administration. Through legislation passed June
1, 1954, Nov. 11 became Veterans Day -- a day to honor American veterans of all
wars.

Since the 9/11 attacks against America, many U.S. service
members have become seasoned warriors, some with multiple deployments under
their belts. Many troops have chosen to continue their service in the military.

Camaraderie

"The greatest thing about the Army is the
camaraderie," said Spc. Judy Mera Rosa, an unmanned aerial vehicle
operator, and self-described "military brat" with 10th Engineers
Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. "Camaraderie is what it's
all about, because if you don't have it, it is just another 9-5 [job]."

Although her father is a retired Army major, Rosa made the
decision to join on her own.

"My father definitely talked me through it. He shared
what he knows and gave me whatever advice he saw fit," Rosa said.
"The Army has helped me grow as a person. I like the structure. The Army
gave me some direction and purpose. I have learned more about who I can be for
other people, rather than just who I am for myself."

Some troops have a family legacy of military service. Others
bravely blaze a new trail and join the military seeking new challenges and an
opportunity to improve their lives.

Army Sgt. Charles Roseboro, a combat engineer with 10th
Engineers Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, from Charlotte, North
Carolina, is the first in his family to ever serve in the military. As one of
six siblings, Roseboro wanted to set a good example for his younger siblings.

"One of the biggest reasons why I joined the military
is because I just felt like I was stuck in time. Sometimes you need to be taken
out of your element to actually work on yourself," Roseboro said. "By
serving in the Army, my family can see me doing something a little different
than the norm. It's good for my brothers and sisters to see. There are six of us;
we range in age from 14 to 25."

Saluting Veterans’ Sacrifices

Roseboro said the significance of Veterans Day is clear to
him.

"Veteran's Day is a day that we can sit back and think
of the people who have gone overseas and fought wars for many decades for our
country, and in some cases died -- much thanks to those before me," he
said.

Roseboro said he’s grown as a person since he joined the
Army.

"I've learned a lot about different cultures, and how
people live, and how people value certain things in life," he said.
"When I was in Afghanistan, I would always see this guy at 7:30 in the
morning, herding his sheep from one field to another to keep them healthy and
give them exercise. I felt like that was something so good, but also so disciplined,
because he did it at the same time every morning. I noticed the dedication that
he had for his family.”

Roseboro added, “I am a different person since I joined the
Army. I have started [earning] a college degree and I have become more
professional."

President Barack Obama spoke of the sacrifices of the
nation’s veterans and their families in his 2015 Veterans Day Proclamation.

"On Veterans Day, we reflect on the immeasurable
burdens borne by so few in the name of so many, and we rededicate ourselves to
supporting those who have worn America's uniform and the families who stand
alongside them," Obama said in his proclamation.

Soldiers’ Personal Sacrifices

Rosa's husband is also a soldier, but stationed elsewhere.

"Most definitely, being away from my husband is my
biggest sacrifice," Rosa said. "We joined the Army together. We've
been apart for basic training, Advanced Individual Training, and then the last
two rotations. We are getting through it -- but I miss him and I want to be in
the same room with him."

Most soldiers find their own means of coping with the
necessary sacrifices. Roseboro said he stays focused on his mission and
big-picture outcomes.

"The greatest sacrifices I make being in the military
are being away from my 9-month-old son and being away from my family," he
said. "What kind of evens me out is knowing that I am in a state of
bettering myself. At a certain point, when it is time for me to hang up my
uniform, I have done the best I can to provide for my family and show them a
better route in life."

Roseboro appreciates the benefits of military service and he
encouraged other young men and women to follow his lead.

"I would tell any young woman or young man considering
joining the Army -- ‘Do it!’" he said. "Go get a college education.
There are so many benefits that come with the military -- go travel the world.
You don't have to do 20 years; you can just do one contract.

“There are so many benefits, [including] as the G.I. Bill,”
Roseboro continued. “You will always be a soldier. So, once you get out and
you're looking for a job as a civilian, you'll network with those battle
buddies and they can help you out."

Honoring, Supporting America’s Veterans

The President's proclamation highlighted the importance of
honoring and caring for the nation’s veterans.

"Our true strength as a Nation is measured by how we
take care of our veterans when they return home," Obama said.

"Our veterans left everything they knew and loved and
served with exemplary dedication and courage so we could all know a safer
America and a more just world,” the president continued. “They have been tested
in ways the rest of us may never fully understand, and it is our duty to
fulfill our sacred obligation to our veterans and their families.”

Obama added, “On Veterans Day, and every day, let us show
them the extraordinary gratitude they so rightly deserve, and let us recommit
to pledging our full support for them in all they do."

11/6/2015 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEB. -- "You're
doing really well. Remember, you have to constantly fly here, or else
you're letting the airplane fly you and we don't want that. The airplane
doesn't have the brain you've got, and it might take us someplace we
don't want to go."

Michael Cook, a flight simulator supervisor with the 338th Combat
Training Squadron here, helped his student maneuver through a dense wall
of snow clouds, gaining altitude until the aircraft reached clear air.
Once there, it was smooth sailing.

Cook, who has worked with flight simulators for the last 16 years is
used to helping newly-minted pilots-to-be gain confidence. But the three
Alfonza W. Davis Middle School seventh graders crowding the RC-135 OFT
simulator Nov. 3 are not part of his usual demographic. But that's the
whole point, said Cook.

The Tuskegee Airmen Flight Simulator Program was created in 2012 by the
Alfonza W. Davis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated, and aims to
perpetuate the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen "through ongoing positive
and beneficial relationships with youth," according to the organization.
The program partners with Offutt Air Force Base once or twice a month,
bringing groups of nine students ages 11 to 18 to experience the
simulator.

By making younger students more interested in STEM subjects, TAI hopes
to encourage a passion for science and technology that will carry on
into adulthood, Cook said.

"Our country has fallen way behind the rest of the world in science,
technology, engineering and math," he said. "When I was growing up, we
were the number one nation in the world in those disciplines. We put a
man on the moon in 1969, just as I came on active duty, and we did that
with minimal computers. We're hoping if we can get one of nine students
interested in the STEM subjects every visit, we as a country can grow
back to what we were - ranked number one."

Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Blalock, the vice president of the local chapter of TAI, agreed with Cook.

"This is the age when kids are influenced the most," he said. "If we
provide them with knowledge and experiences that expand their thought
process, then we are able to guide them down a path of success versus
letting them being influenced by negative factors."

The program has already brought over 500 students to Offutt AFB to experience the simulator.

"It was really fun," said Mollee Francis, a seventh grader who flew the
simulator for fifteen minutes with Cook's help. "It was like you were
the one flying the plane."

"It was so cool," said Alivia Conway. "You get to do this when you're
really young, and you don't have to take any classes to do it."

The program made them both want to be pilots, they said.

Prior to their turn in the simulator, Todd Clark, flight simulator
supervisor with the 338th Combat Training Squadron here, briefed them on
the purpose of the local chapter of TAI in creating the program.

"The Tuskegee Airmen had a goal - fly for the U.S. Army Air Corps," he
said. "They didn't let all the obstacles society put in their way stop
them. You guys are like them - you're going to take us where we're
going."